Free Fairytales by Cynthia Freeman Page B

defense.
    “Everything is alright, mio figlio,” Dominic said reassuringly to his son as he took the child down the long hall back to his room. When he entered, Dom was sitting up in bed.
    “Is Mama alright, Papa?”
    “Yes, Dom,” he answered as he tucked Tory in.
    “But I heard Mama crying,” Dom answered apprehensively.
    “Yes, I know. She fell down, but she’s alright now.”
    The children must have heard them arguing and how frightening and insecure that can make a child, Dominic thought. Swallowing the hard lump in his throat he bent down and kissed the boy on the cheek and said, “Don’t worry, Dom. Mama’s fine. Now, go back to sleep … both of you … I’ll see you in the morning.”
    “Good night, Papa,” they said as he closed the door softly behind him.
    He sat on the Victorian red velvet settee against the wall, with his head buried in his hands, and started to cry. Why did he allow his temper to become so fever-pitched. Catherine could make him so angry at times, he really wanted to choke her … no, not really. She had so much that was good in her. There wasn’t a more loving and devoted mother, an exceptional housekeeper and it couldn’t have been easy for her in the beginning. Of course she rebelled … she wasn’t accustomed to being denied. That wasn’t her fault, it was the way she’d been brought up. He was going to accept the things about her he didn’t like and try very hard to overlook them. It wasn’t easy to control one’s impulses when he was angry. “But I’ve got to learn to deal with Catherine for the sake of the children … for the sake of our own personal tranquility … for the sake of our future. I must. Dearest God, let Catherine have this child, born healthy and whole, please, I beg you.” Suddenly in his guilt Catherine emerged in his mind with all the virtues and none of the vices.
    He was startled when Dr. Vincente put his hand on Dominic’s shoulder and said, “I think everything is under control, I’ve stopped the bleeding. However, Dominic, I can’t say for sure that we’re out of the woods. We’ll know in the next few days … naturally Catherine is very upset which doesn’t help, but I’ve given her an injection for sleep … I suggest it might be more comfortable if she could have the bed to herself. Now, Dominic, get some rest, you look tired. I’ll be here early in the morning. Good night.”
    “Yes. You’ll forgive me if I don’t show you out?”
    “Go in to your wife, that’s more important.”
    “Thank you for everything.”
    “What for? Get some rest,” he said as he descended the stairs, but Dominic did not wait until the front door shut as he hurried to their room.
    Entering, he heard Catherine’s voice weak and unsteady, “Dominic, please sit here till I fall asleep.”
    “Yes, darling.” He seated himself once again in the chair beside the bed and held her hand.
    “Dominic?”
    “Yes.”
    “Your eyes are red … have you been cryin’?”
    “Yes.”
    “Oh, my dear … you do love me, don’t you.”
    “Very much, Catherine.”
    “I don’t know why I question you at times.”
    “Darling, Dr. Vincente said he’d given you something for sleep … we can talk another time.”
    “No, Dominic, please, I’m really not sleepy. Dominic?”
    “Yes?”
    “I’m really wicked at times, I know it … I’m impulsive and in spite of knowin’, I go right on doin’ the very thing I know is gonna make you angry. Why do I, Dom?”
    “Because it hasn’t been easy for you … I know at times you feel frustrated. I’ve been so busy, trying to make a name for myself that I can understand you feeling neglected. But Catherine, I don’t know how to stop trying… I just can’t back up now at the most productive time in my life. Darling, all I can say is, I love you very much. I just wish we understood one another better. For all our sakes, especially the children’s, and become a little more tolerant of each of each.”
    “I